SYNOPSIS:

Japan, with its immense socio-cultural heritage, has long been a source of fascination for the Western world. Yet this country still holds many great mysteries. One of them is linked to the kofun—imposing megalithic burial mounds, often built as tumuli or in the distinctive keyhole shape. Historically as significant as the Egyptian pyramids, they remain largely unknown. Neapolitan archaeologist Daniele Petrella leads an international archaeological mission to study them. In the heart of the forest of Okayama, he oversees the excavation of the Tobiotsuka Kofun and later travels to other Japanese cities where some of the most important tombs are located. This documentary aims to reveal the kofun to the world and reconstruct their historical and social significance.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:

Sergio Panariello is an Italian filmmaker and producer based in Naples. He studied documentary filmmaking under the guidance of director Leonardo Di Costanzo and began his career directing documentaries such as La trafila di Torre Annunziata (2006), Villa Sora (2008) and Scuole Aperte (2008), presented within the Circuito Off program in Venice. He has also worked extensively as assistant director in the Italian film industry, collaborating with filmmakers including Antonio Capuano and Guido Lombardi on films such as L’amore buio, Là-Bas: Educazione criminale and Take Five. His short film Ciro received the Special Jury Prize at the Italian Awards (Nastri d’Argento). He later directed the documentary Windemi – The False Dream of Gold, filmed in Burkina Faso, and Fuori Campo, a documentary exploring the lives of Roma communities in Italy. Panariello is co-founder of the Naples-based production company Open Mind Film, where he develops and produces independent films and documentaries.

AWARDS AND SCREENINGS:

RAM film festival - Rovereto , Firenze Archeofilm, XXVI Rassegna Internazionale del Cinema Archeologico di Belgrado